Rouen vs Monaco Predictions

• This is the furthest Rouen have made it in the competition since making the quarter-finals in 1999
• Monaco are unbeaten in five away games, winning four, with both sides netting in all of those matches
• Rouen have lost just one of their nine home matches this season

Monaco may be too strong for brave Rouen

On paper, this seems like a complete mismatch. Monaco are French giants and are sat fifth in Ligue 1 whilst Rouen are seventh in France’s third flight but knockout football can be unpredictable and the visitors may not have things all their own way.

However, Monaco should still win this within 90 minutes. They are 39 places ahead of Rouen in the French football pyramid and have lost just one of their last six matches.

They swept past second-tier Rodez in the last round, notching a 3-1 victory, highlighting the gulf in talent between their squad and any opponents in the divisions below.

Clean sheet unlikely for giants

Although, Monaco lost the shot count 17-11 in that clash with Rodez which will give Rouen some motivation ahead of this tie.

The Red and Whites have been far from secure at the back this season, with both sides scoring in their last six games as well as in their last five away fixtures, suggesting the hosts could give the home crowd something to cheer on Thursday, even in defeat.

Rouen put three past Ligue 1 side Toulouse in the last round, showing that they can score against top opposition, so, while Monaco may be a much better outfit than those opponents and ultimately too strong, the hosts can at least get on the scoresheet in this last-16 clash.